“Does gastritis affect bowel movements?”

No.

Gastritis only affects the stomach and may include nausea and vomiting. It is a sudden inflammation or swelling in the lining of the stomach. Patients can experience bursts of nagging as well as severe pain. The pain usually lasts for short periods of time. Gastritis can be caused by stress, steroids, spicy foods, viruses, bacteria, injury and irritants such as alcohol. Gastroenteritis, on the other hand, may affect both the stomach and the intestines and may include diarrhea in addition to nausea or vomiting.

Lynn M. O’Connor, MD MPH FACS FASCRS